2 easy ways to revitalize kitchen cabinetry

It's easy to freshen up your kitchen's appearance without spending a fortune on new cabinetry. Here are some straightforward ways to revitalize your kitchen at minimal cost.

If your current cabinets are badly worn (or simply not to your taste), refacing is a great way to make a big change while keeping your current configuration. In refacing, new cabinet doors and drawer fronts are installed on the old cabinet frames, and all the visible parts of the frames are faced with matching wood or laminate veneers. Refacing should be done by a professional, so ask neighbours and friends for the names of reliable contractors.

Here are the steps to successful cabinet refacing:

1. Take off old cabinet doors by removing the screws from the hinges.
2. Clean and sand the frame. Wipe with a tack cloth.
3. Cover the cabinet frame with peel-and-stick wood veneer or vinyl laminate.
4. Drill new holes for the new hinges,if necessary. Then attach the new doors.

Follow these instructions to add a new splash of colour to your kitchen.

1. Remove your cabinet's doors, drawers and hardware. Store the hardware in a box so that nothing gets lost. You can also clean and polish the hardware while the cabinets are drying.
2. Place the doors and drawers in a dust-free area where they can stay for several days while they're drying. Wash all surfaces with a strong, oil-free detergent, or rewash cleaned surfaces with TSP.
3. Sand cabinet surfaces lightly with 100 grit sandpaper to dull the gloss and aid in paint adhesion. Vacuum and wipe with a clean tack cloth (available at paint stores) to eliminate dust. Choose a water-based, stain-resistant paint formulated for kitchens. It should be durable and contain a mildewcide to protect the paint from the high humidity of your kitchen.
4. As a first coat, use a primer recommended for the type of paint you are using. Buy good-quality brushes to avoid streaks and errant bristles. When the primer is dry, lightly sand and wipe the cabinet surfaces again. Apply the first coat of finish paint, let it dry, sand lightly, and wipe again. A second finish coat should complete the job.

Kitchens are meant to be loved and enjoyed, from meal prep to cleanup. These affordable tricks will have your kitchen looking beautiful and refreshed before your next big meal.